Sunday, 26 February 2017

One this that is my absolute favourite thing in the entire world is doing shit all. In my eyes, there is nothing better then having a night in on your own and just taking time to relax. I pretty much do this every weekend, because my social life is about as active as a rocks. In fact, rocks, probably have better social life then myself, but I'm cool with it. I am naturally a chilled out person who doesn't give a shit and I'm lucky that i don't get stressed. I like to think I'm quite positive and have a positive outlook on most aspects of life. Naturally, there are parts where i don't, but i think thats normal.

As i said, I'm naturally a calm, chilled person, so relaxing for me is extremely easy, although, i get bored quicker then you can count to 10. I love quiet notes alone and just having 'me' time. I find that if I've had a shit day at work or someones just massively pissed me off or perhaps I'm just a shit mood, i just want to lock myself away and not talk to anyone.

Below, i have put a list of the stuff that i do when i want to be more relaxed and just forget about the rest of the world.

1. Candles

Candles solve all problems. I love my Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede, but that shit is hella expensive, so i have one from Anthropology which i got from one of my best friends at christmas, which smells beautiful. Its not to overpowering, but it does fill them room with the scent and make me all calm and relaxed. I don't know about anyone else, but also playing with fire makes me relaxed. Don't really recommend it, actually, lets just ignore that bit. Back to candles, it doesn't have to be £50 candle, a cheap candle, scented or not, still sets an ambience and helps me to wind down and just forget about everything.

2. Films/Series

This one completely depends on the person. I don't read out of choice, but if you prefer to read, grab a book, cup of tea or a pint of wine and just chill out and read until your hearts content. Personally, i would chuck on a classic old disney film or netflix and watch this with a pepsi max. I know, I'm wild with my beverage choices. I love putting on a film and just forgetting about all my worries and just letting myself go in the film and pretending like I'm there. I don't think there any harm in letting your imagination wonder and just being in the moment at that moment.

3. Snacks/Drinks

I love food. More then anything, food is my favourite thing ever which explains a lot. Depending on my mood, i will grab a bag of crisps or chocolate or maybe both. Probably both to be completely honest and I'm not talking about the small bags. At the moment, its Easter chocolate season, which means Mini Eggs are in full force. I am not a love of Creme Eggs, but give 10 bags of mini eggs any day. Realistically, it doesn't have to be fatty foods, you can grab anything you want to snack one, but I'm a fat shit and i love crisps and chocolate. As i said in the above part, i always like a drink when I'm watching a film. Although, i love Pepsi, i also love a nice bottle of freezing cold water. There is nothing better then having some freezing cold water. I can not put it into words how it makes me feel, but i feel like it just takes all the shit from that day and put it somewhere else. Probably my bladder.

4. Fragrance

After a day at the office or wherever you've been and its been a shit day, i actually like to re-spray myself with perfume. I know it seems waste and not gonna lie, it kind of is, but there is some kind of logic. For example, you've been stuck in an office with sweaty people, you come home smelling on work and your in a shit mood. You get into bed/sofa, chuck on a film and start chilling. Why not spray some perfume to make you get rid of that 'office' smell and have a scent which you love and it will help make you calm. See, i told you there were logic behind it.

5. Phone

My last and final one. Turn of your phone. You want to be chilled, not staring at Facebook seeing how amazing Becky from down the road thinks her life is. I have about 2 people, besides my family, who contact me, so my phone isn't really used that much. I use it mainly to stalk people on instagram and twitter....... Anyway, i like to chuck it on the floor far away, or put it in a draw so that i am not hooked to it.

So there we are, my tips for winding down to chillax as the kids say nowadays. They probably don't even say that. I don't like seeing people stressed and i think sometimes, people just forget that 'me' time is the best time for anyone. Nobody should get stressed over work or life, as life is to short and quite frankly, its not worth getting stressed out for something so minor. Everything happens for a reason and people need to accept that everyone makes mistakes and thats okay! Anyway, little ramble over.

Thursday, 23 February 2017

I love diaries, but i never ever use them. Despite pretending to be organised, I'm probably one of the least organised people ever, as i just go with the flow. For Christmas, i was in Kikki K, or the most amazing shop in the world, and i spotted this travel diary. I am sure you will all know by know, i am off to Australia in 10 days or so. I was going to buy the diary for myself, but my sister quickly snapped it away and bought it as a present for me.

Firstly, the colours of the diary are my favourite! The fluro orange with the blue and white stripes make me so happy. Silly, i know, but its the small things sometimes. The diary has all the sections you will ever need to compare prices, list hostels, plan transport and even accommodate your shopping needs. I haven't used it yet, but i have looked at it several times thinking i cant wait to use it to its full potential in Australia. Of course, i could use it now, but i don't want to get way over my head and start planing for things, that one may not even happen and secondly, i may have no money to do anything, which is pretty likely. As i said, the planner has a variety of different sections which i love and makes trying to be organised, one step easier. I love that it has a budget, packing, itinerary sections and so much more. It also has a calendar, prompts and information pages to help you write down any notes and important dates.

Kikki K do some amazing stationary and i could quite happily buy everything in the shop. They do a great variety of stationary and also some amazing gifts. I spent way to much money in their at christmas, but it was all worth it. The price of this diary is £21.00 which i think was quite reasonable and its a decent size with lots of different sections where you can put all your notes and what not. I did try to take more pictures of the sections, but my photography skills are lacking and the pictures were shit to say the least.

Friday, 17 February 2017

I know that recently, the last couple of posts have been all about my travels, so I'm taking it back old school and doing a makeup review. Back when I first started my blog these were the normal posts I would do.

Makeup is my absolute passion and my one true love. Honestly, I love it. The transformation, the different looks and just how it makes you feel are what I love most. If you follow my on instagram *cough* you totes should instagram.com/zoebowx*cough* then you would have probably seen I love messing around and just creating different looks on myself and anyway what's better then playing with makeup on a Friday night?!?!

I recently purchased the absolute beauty of the Morphe 35N palette. I have seen tons of people use these before and always been so envious of them. So, that being said, I bit the bullet and bought this beauty. Of course, I love the look of the 35O palette, but it seems near on impossible to get it, but I'm still super excited about the 35N. The eyeshadows are super creamy, buttery and pigmented. They blend so easily on the skin and are a complete dream to work with.

I decided to create quite a dramatic look, as well they are my favourite and I think it shows of the eyeshadows well. Although I have done a dramatic look, this palette is brilliant for everyday use as well. There are a great variety of colours ranging from dark to lights. Overall, I bloody love this palette and am excited to try more. One thing I forgot to mention is the price. I think it's £25.00 which is super affordable and considering you get .... eyeshadows, that works out to be £ which is a complete bargain!

I am super excited to use this palette lots more and also purchase lots more Morphe products in the future! They have some absolute crackers and all of their products look like they are such high quality and affordable, which is always a good thing!

Sunday, 12 February 2017

As my travels are just around the corner, recently I've been doing a lot of online window shopping, as I can't justify buying anything when I'm not going to be here in less then a months time. This being said, there are a couple of items which I feel I need as in my eyes they are essentials. However, i did recently buy a Henna kit for no reason at all. Realistically, they probably aren't, but i am going crazy at the thought of not buying anything, so a little present to myself doesn't hurt.

I was just scrolling through my facebook when I saw one of those annoying pop up ads for LRM Goods. Normally I ignore them, but I decided to click on it and have a browse. Low and behold I found the most beautiful products ever. They have an amazing range of travel products and they all come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The best part is that they can monogram the products with your initials or anyone's initials. They come in gold, silver and rosegold, but there is a additional price for rose gold which is £1.50. Obviously, I wanted rose gold, so I opted for that and I didn't mind about the additional charge.

I went for the Ivory travel wallet because I just thought that it's a classic cream colour and you can't go wrong with it. I was tossing up between coral and ivory, but the coral one just didn't feel like me. The travel wallet itself is a great size and I think I will be able to fit lots in there, including passport and also my important documents. The price of the wallet is £35 which I think is quite reasonable. The product is made from recycled leather aswell.

Overall, I can't stop staring at it. It's so timeless, but also so amazing. The price, the brand and everything about it is amazing and I think it's worth it. I will definitely be buying more items from the brand in the future/when I return to the uk if I ever do.

Friday, 10 February 2017

Haircare is probably one of the things that I don't do enough along with skincare. Probably shouldn't admit to that, but it's the truth. You can't go wrong with makeup wipes! Anyway, back to haircare. I have never been into hair masks and even styling my hair really. Occasionally, I straighten it or try to style but I just end up looking like Ms Trunchbowl from Matilda. Not even kidding. I'm sure everyone knows the meme I'm on about.

I think it was around September time I was in Boots prepping for my holiday and just decided to give the Dove shampoo a go. I didn't have an expectations and had never even seen it before, so i was just trying it out of pot luck. I struggle at the moment with really bad dandruff which I don't like to admit, but I want my blog to be 100% me, therefore I'm going to be 100% true. Dandruff is a pain in the ass and I'm trying to work on getting it down. Luckily with using the new Dove shampoos, it has massively helped and I've also seen a massive difference in my hair.

The oxygen moisture range is my favourite, although it's the only one I've tried. I like to think my hair is fairly dry and having dandruff I think it's fairly obvious I do. It's mainly for fine and flat hair which I don't have, pretty much got the exact opposite, but I'm after the moisture for my hair and scalp. I have recently purchased the regenerate nourishment shampoo and conditioner which is mainly for damaged and extremely distressed hair which I don't think I have, however, I am going back to ombré at the end of Feb, so I want to get my hair in a good condition before hand and also afterwards. I have managed to pick these up on offer recently for £3 each which is a bargain in my eyes. I think it's normally £5 for one bottle of either shampoo and condition, which I am happy to pay if I can see the results, but I know that some people think that's expensive.

Overall, I love this shampoo and it's definitely my new favourite. I will be sure to stock up on this when I go to Australia, as I don't even know if they sell it over there and if they don't, I think I will cry as my search for a new shampoo and conditioner will have to begin again.

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

It's nearly time for me to pack my bags and head down under. I have read some of the many travelling blogs and watched some travel videos. I'm super excited, but of course I'm absolutely shitting myself. I don't know why I feel embarrassed to say I'm nervous, but I've just got to admit that I am and that it's perfectly normal. I would probably be worried if I wasn't, so i guess its a good thing. The packing hasn't yet begun, but I have started buying things I probably won't need. Like walking boots. My rents are adamant that I'm going to need them. I don't think they realise that I'm just going to be a beach bum for the year and work in between. Then again, I may surprise myself and decide to go for a hike in the rainforest. Probably won't. Actually, thinking of the spiders and snakes, I can safely that is certainly not going to happen. Give me all the crocodiles you can, but I swear if I see a tarantula I may just pack my bags and hop on the next plane. Having visited before, I only saw 1 spider which was a red back and it didn't really phase me. Mainly because I knew if I got near it, it may have jumped at me and sucked all the blood out and left me for dead. Okay, okay, slight exaggeration, but I'm not going to risk it.

Back onto the subject, I wanted to write to let anyone know who reads it (hi) that I think the nerves are completely normal. My main worry is the embarrassment of lasting 2 weeks and then having to come home. I'm praying this doesn't happen, but then if it does it just wasn't meant to be and I have to just face it and deal with it. I don't know why I'm embarrassed about that, as I know quite a few people who have got out there and come back. I think as I am quite a home bud, I will miss home, which is completely normal and expected. I will miss my family, my little muchkins probably more then anyone and of course my friends, but I can always Skype or FaceTime anyone I want to. Going back to the munchkins, I feel like I'm gonna turn into a crazy dog lady and be that meme where you see a dog and just want to run up to hug it. That's already got my name all over it!

Anyway, the point of this post was to say nerves are okay and I shouldn't be scared of them. As normal I rambled, but I'm glad I just got this of my chest and if anyone reads it, then hey, you cool and thanks!